V.K. Mathews, the convenor of CII Kerala State Council's IT panel, and CMD, IBS group, dwelt on the fact that IT is different from the traditional industrial sectors.

'It is the need of the hour for people to accept IT the way it is and create proactive policies to foster the growth of this unique sector,' he said.

State IT secretary Ajay Kumar said that the state has been witnessing a period of growth, with software exports growing almost three times the national average.

'The Kerala Government will to invest Rs.2000 to 3000 crore (Rs.20-30 billion) in e-governance initiatives. The government has accorded added thrust for investment during the global recession,' he said.